In the cranes what does songsam recall in the two flashbacks to his childhood? explain how these memories motivate songsam's actions in the present ?

In the short story "Cranes" by Hwang Sun-won, Songsam has two significant flashbacks to his childhood that play a crucial role in motivating his actions in the present.

The first flashback occurs when Songsam encounters his childhood friend, Tokchae, who has been taken prisoner during the Korean War due to his association with the North Korean regime. As they travel to the northern village, Songsam reminisces about a time when he and Tokchae were boys, stealing chestnuts from the village mill. This memory recalls the innocence of their friendship and shows the bond they once shared before the war and ideological differences came between them.

The second flashback visits a memory of Songsam's father being tied up and taken away by the police for his role in the Korean independence movement. This memory is triggered by seeing Tokchae tied up and ignites empathy in Songsam. It reminds him of the helplessness and injustice of that situation and how being bound and controlled is an assault on human dignity.

These memories motivate Songsam's actions in the present as he grapples with the harsh reality of war and the ideological conflict that has made enemies of former friends. They inspire him to release Tokchae instead of taking him to the authorities. In doing so, Songsam chooses their shared humanity and personal history over their political differences. The climax of the story involves Songsam setting Tokchae free so that they could both be like the cranes flying together - a symbol of peace and liberty. This act is an attempt to reclaim the innocence of their childhood and reject the division caused by the war.